Indian splash at Wells

Indian Wells: Yuki Bhambri registered the biggest win of his career as he toppled world No. 12 Lucas Pouille to breeze into the third round of the Indian Wells Masters. World No. 110 Bhambri beat the ninth-seeded Frenchman 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 19 minutes. The win is the biggest for the 25-year-old Indian, who had beaten world No. 22 Gael Monfils in August last year.Bhambri had beaten world No. 16 Fabio Fognini in 2014 at the Chennai Open but the Italian had retired from that match due to a fitness issue.“I served well and played aggressively, which was the key,” Bhambri said. “I just kept going at him and taking my chances which thankfully paid off.”Asked how he had started doing well against top players of late, Bhambri said: “I have had an opportunity to play them. If I keep giving myself the opportunity on the big stage, I will grab some of them. I would like to keep being consistent with it.”The win has already ensured Bhambri 45 ranking points and $47,170.He will next take on American world No. 21 Sam Querrey, who ousted Germany’s Mischa Zverev 6-4 7-5.Rohan Bopanna and Edourad Roger-Vasselin were ousted from the men’s doubles event in the first round.

Djokovic stumbles

Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel sent five-time champion Novak Djokovic tumbling out with a hard-fought 7-6(3) 4-6 6-1 victory. It was another snag in the return for the 30-year-old Djokovic who admitted he was out of sorts while playing in just his second event of 2018. “It felt like the first match I ever played on the Tour. Very weird,” Djokovic said. “I just completely lost rhythm.”World No. 1 Roger Federer picked up where he left off, winning the four games he needed to defeat Federico Delbonis 6-3 7-6(6) today after their match was interrupted the night before by rain.

Top seed Halep survives

Top seed Simona Halep narrowly avoided an upset in the third round on Sunday, digging deep for a 1-6 7-6(3) 6-2 win over world No. 165 Caroline Dolehide, while 16-year-old Amanda Anisimova also advanced to the fourth round. Wild card Anisimova took out ninth seed Petra Kvitova 6-2 6-4. French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, seeded sixth, was beaten 6-3 6-3 by Croat Petra Martic.